Author : Barry ThompsonÂ
The X Factor
Querencia, the first Salthouse Corsair 44X, is a striking design in a practical package and like the Corsairs before it, the 44’s exterior lines are inspired by the Maine lobster boats, but with a modern twist.
The owner of Querencia was looking for a saloon style boat that would work well with a small family and admitted that the first time he stepped aboard a Corsair Cabriolet he knew it was exactly what he wanted. The one level concept with open and spacious saloon and cockpit, plus generous accommodation areas forward ‘ticked all the boxes’ and in mid 2009 the decision to purchase was made.
May 2010 saw the boat launched and while the owner admits to not really having done enough boating through the winter, there have been a few weekend trips. “Mid winter boating has been great, with a Webasto heater providing the necessary warmth”, he added.
Designer Dean Salthouse describes the new Salthouse Corsair 44X as a more traditional style with the ‘picnic boat’ look that has been achieved through subtle changes in the window shapes and the high gloss aft coamings.
“We didn’t want to do the normal teak down the gunnels due to the long term upkeep but we did want to have at least a small part of it that presented a nice high quality piece of joinery that also gave the effect of the styling we were out to achieve”, he added.
Another change on the first 44X is the central BBQ console with a basin, which is a change from the full transom with a central gate. The new layout offers twin boarding platform access and avery useable entertainment island area with large servery, storage and basin.
With the new Corsair Euro 49 (the first two are currently under construction) this area has been extended even further. The 1.5m overall length increase has been added aft of the cockpit seats, which considerably extends the fishing or entertaining area and can be customised to suit an owner’s requirements. to purchase was made.
May 2010 saw the boat launched and while the owner admits to not really having done enough boating through the winter, there have been a few weekend trips. “Mid winter boating has been great, with a Webasto heater providing the necessary warmth”, he added.
Designer Dean Salthouse describes the new Salthouse Corsair 44X as a more traditional style with the ‘picnic boat’ look that has been achieved through subtle changes in the window shapes and the high gloss aft coamings.
“We didn’t want to do the normal teak down the gunnels due to the long term upkeep but we did want to have at least a small part of it that presented a nice high quality piece of joinery that also gave the effect of the styling we were out to achieve”, he added.
Another change on the first 44X is the central BBQ console with a basin, which is a change from the full transom with a central gate. The new layout offers twin boarding platform access and a very useable entertainment island area with large servery, storage and basin.
With the new Corsair Euro 49 (the first two are currently under construction) this area has been extended even further. The 1.5m overall length increase has been added aft of the cockpit seats, which considerably extends the fishing or entertaining area and can be customised to suit an owner’s requirements.
screens were fitted, with the engine controls running through the 8″ screen and all the navigational displays shown on the larger 12″ screen. The twin helm seat features deep storage beneath, which in Querencia has been used for glasses and bottles.
There has been a move away from the soft rolled edge squabs of the previous Corsairs, to the more modern square look that really blends in well with the interior. Surprisingly, while they look a little firmer than the pleated rousch style, they are extremely comfortable. The starboard side lounger can also be converted to a single berth if required. Aft is the fridge and pullout pantry, which are conveniently opposite the port side aft galley. While stainless steel bench tops have been the norm in previous boats, the first 44X is fitted with a composite surface. There is a four-burner hob and separate oven, microwave, twin sinks and plenty of drawer and cupboard storage. The hopper window provides a more natural flow from the galley to the cockpit and doubles as a servery area to the alfresco dining area in the cockpit.
The cockpit has a further fridge/freezer unit plus ample seating for outdoor entertaining or just relaxing while someone else catches the fish from the large boarding platform aft of the central BBQ station. A live bait tank is accessed through twin hatch lockers in the platform, which also comes with a full wrap around stainless steel fence, with both side and rear openings.
The port lounger has an infill to transform it into a large sun lounging area. Storage areas are available under the squabs and there is a lazarette in the cockpit sole. The 44X has an extended GRP overhang above, that replaces the canvas covers and stainless steel hoop.Underwater Changes Underwater, the 44X has undergone the same transformation that is now standard on all of the company’s Corsairs. Dean Salthouse spent a lot of time refining the underwater features of the Corsair in order to reduce drag and improve seakeeping.
Firstly, the skeg keel has improved the handling dramatically. Whereas the older Corsairs used to bow steer and wander from side to side when running downwind or quartering large seas, and in extreme conditions broaching was not unknown, the skeg keel versions track as a good sea boat should. In fact, since the first trial of the skeg keel, no Corsair has been launched without one, such was the improvement! One owner reported driving his Corsair into the back of a massive sea, resulting in the whole foredeck being under water to the base of the front windows, but even that did not induce a broach.
The skeg also gives full shaft and propeller protection from sand bars, logs or rocks. This allows you to push your luck a bit as the steep angle on the front of the keel allows you to back off easily if you hit at low speed. The bottom of the keel has a 200mm wide shoe, to help avoid sinking in if the boat is grounded on soft sand or mud.
Another feature of twin-engine shaft drive Corsairs, usually found only on race boats, is the single rudder. This was always going to be a winner as not only are there weight, drag and installation savings but also there is the bonus of not having the propellers blasting the antifouling off the rudders. This is important for fuel economy, as rudders coated with marine growth markedly increase fuel consumption.
Other subtle changes to the original Corsair include 200mm more beam aft, a smaller 100mm full length keel to reduce drag, and midships underwater exhausts, with a low-drag conical exterior protrusion.
The most preferred power option is twin, common rail, electronic MTU 6R700M94 @ 345hp, which give the 44X a top speed of 33 knots and a cruise at 28 knots @ 100L/h. At 20 knots, fuel consumption is around 57L/h and at 5 knots the total fuel burn is only 2.8L/h.
The first single engine Corsair 44 is being fitted with a 500hp Cummins that should return a top speed of 26-27 knots. Bow and stern thrusters are also being fitted to aid manoeuvrability. Following the trend for pod drives, Dean Salthouse is considering Zeus drives, but says that the engines will be left in the current position, each connected with a jackshaft to its pod drive unit.
Strong Demand
Querencia is the seventh Corsair to be launched since Charisma in 2005. Of those, two were sold to Australian clients, a market that Dean Salthouse is keen to look at again. He hopes to exhibit next year at either the Sanctuary Cove or Sydney boat shows. “We see a strong market for our boats in Australia and with the demand growing for targa and sedan style boats, we see our designs really fitting nicely into that market”, says Dean. The Salthouse Corsair 44X combines outstanding performance and handling characteristics with sinuous lines and is the perfect embodiment of vintage retro styling. Currently with two Corsair Euro 49s and the first single engine Corsair 44 under construction, all for Kiwi owners, Dean Salthouse Next Generation Boats Ltd is the busiest builder of GRP boats in the 10m to 20m range in the country. While international competition has decimated the local production boat market, it is pleasing to see one builder at least is still doing it and doing it well. With a number of contracts pending, new models in development and a commitment to rekindling its export programme, Dean Salthouse Next Generation Boats Ltd is doing all the right things to stay at the forefront of its market.
TECHNICAL SPECS
- Design Name: Salthouse Corsair 44X
- Boat Name: Querencia
- Year Launched: 2010
- Designer: Bob and Dean Salthouse
- Interior Designers: Dean and Treena Salthouse
- Builder: Next Generation Boats Ltd
- LOA: 13.5 m
- LWL: 12 m
- Beam: 4.12m
- Draft: 1 m
- Displacement: 9.5 tonnes
- Max Speed: 33 knots
- Cruise Speed: 28 knots
- Construction: GRP/balsa core
- Fuel Cap: 900 litres
- Water Cap: 720 litres
- Engines Make: MTU 6R700M94 twin 345hp
